CNBC AND NBC NEWS TO DEVOTE SPECIAL PROGRAMMING AND CROSS-NETWORK COVERAGE OF “INVEST IN AMERICA”

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., OCTOBER 11, 2012—America's road to recovery has been a rocky one, and despite some glimmers of hope, apprehension looms among investors. On Thursday, October 18th, CNBC and NBC News will provide special programming and comprehensive coverage of "Invest in America."

As high gas prices threaten our economic resurgence and political unrest rattles overseas, the need for American energy independence is more important than ever. CNBC's Jim Cramer and Phil LeBeau will report live from the Utica Shale in Ohio, considered by many as the location for America's next big energy boom. Once a prosperous area at the heart of American industry, the economy in Steel Country, Ohio was hit hard long before the recession. After years of struggle, there are sparks of new life and optimism in the region driven by the Utica Shale, a little-known oil and natural gas formation located thousands of feet beneath the surface of several U.S. states.

CNBC's Jim Cramer will broadcast live from Timken's Faircrest Steel Plant in Canton, OH—the heart of the Utica Shale—for a special edition of "Mad Money w/Jim Cramer " (M-F, 6 & 11PM ET). The natural gas and oil industries have exploded in growth, generating $1.7 billion in sales for the state of Ohio. And the Utica Shale is estimated to have reserves of up to 15.7 trillion cubic feet. Could this be the solution to the three of the U.S.'s biggest problems—unemployment, an addiction to foreign oil and a faltering economy? The Utica Shale may serve not only as a pipeline to economic renewal, but could also shape our nation's energy future, and Cramer will cover every angle of the companies in the area working to keep the American dream alive.

CNBC's Phil LeBeau will report live from Youngstown, OH throughout the day for CNBC's Business Day programming. LeBeau will take a look at how the fracking boom has fueled Ohio's economy beyond natural gas including a substantial decline in the state's unemployment rate as well as the auto industry's comeback three years after being left in shambles by the near collapse of General Motors and Chrysler. Ohio is the reigning bellwether in presidential politics and with the economy the focus of this election, LeBeau will speak with small business owners in Youngstown to get their take on how the state's rebounding economy will impact the presidential race.

CNBC's LeBeau will appear on "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams" telling the story of the overnight wealth created by the natural gas and oil boom in the region. He will also appear on MSNBC dayside. And, CNBC's Jim Cramer will appear on "Today" to cover the story.

More information will be available at: investinamerica.cnbc.com.

America's road to recovery has been paved with promise and pitfalls, causing a lingering apprehension among investors. CNBC's Jim Cramer remains on a mission to restore confidence in American companies, and ingenuity and urges people to take charge of their financial future by getting back in the market. "Mad Money w/Jim Cramer" honors those fueling the nation's return to profitability through its "Invest in America" series, proving that the capitalist spirit and innovation embedded in our countries foundation still exists.

CNBC's "Mad Money" has been highlighting the very best ways to "Invest in America" since 2008. For more information go to MadMoney.CNBC.com.

About CNBC: With CNBC in the U.S., CNBC in Asia Pacific, CNBC in Europe, Middle East and Africa, CNBC World and CNBC HD , CNBC is the recognized world leader in business news and provides real-time financial market coverage and business information to more than 395 million homes worldwide, including more than 100 million households in the United States and Canada. CNBC also provides daily business updates to 400 million households across China. The network's 16 live hours a day of business programming in North America (weekdays from 4:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET) is produced at CNBC's global headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and includes reports from CNBC News bureaus worldwide.

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